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ALEXANDRIA BAY, N. Y 



STAPLES & NOTT, Managers. 



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ALEXANDRIA BAY 



AND THE 



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PLEASURE SEEKERS. 







^ WATERTOWN, K Y.: 

POST JOB PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT. 



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ALEXANDRIA BAY 



— AND- 



THE THOUSANC ISLANDS 



THE SUMMER HEGIRA. 



With each return of our sultry summers commences the 
movements of city and village residents towards the numerous 
watering-places and rural resorts of seaboard and interior. 
This change, if it be in the right direction, afiords an exquisite 
relief from poisonous air and business cares, which, once ex- 
perienced, it is not easy afterward to forego. To thousands 
it is the joy and health harvest of the year. But thousands 
more, not having learned the art of selection, fail to find what 
they seek, and return to their homes dispirited and dissatisfied. 
Often they have merely followed in the wake of a fashionable 
crowd without having taken the pains to discover where they 
might be sure of cool, fresh air, pure water, and a round of 
amusements that would not become tiresome. 

It is our present business to point out one spot where all the 
essential requisites for a delightful summer vacation may be 
found in profusion. 

THE RIVER ST. LAWRENCE. 

It is doubtful if any American river presents so many attrac- 
tions for the enthusiastic lover of nature as this magnificent 
river of the Thousand Islands, which constitutes the outlet of 
our great lakes and links them to the Atlantic ocean. The 
perpetual purity of its water, gathered from all those lakes, its 
wide and powerful current sweeping oceanward between pic- 
turesque banks and around not less picturesque islands, its 
pufling steamboats and immense lumber rafts, its sail craft and 






•^ 



4 ALEXANDBIA BA Y AND 

fishing boats, its abundance of fisb and game, all associated 
with many curious Indian traditions and interesting historical 
events, combine to make it peculiarly the river of rivers. 

THE THOUSAND ISLANDS. 

The most attractive portion of the St. Lawrence is that which 
includes the so-called Thousand Islands, numbering in reality 
about 1800. The following extract from Weld's journal of 
1799 is one of the earliest known descriptions of these islands, 
and cannot easily be improved. 

weld's description of the thousand islands. 
"About 8 o'clock the next, and eighth morning of our voyage, 
we entered the last lake before you come to that of Ontario, 
called the Lake of a Thousand Islands, on account of the 
multiplicity of them which it contains. Many of these islands 
are scarcely larger than a bateau, and none of them, except 
such as are situated at the upper and lower extremities of the 
lake, appeared to me to contain more than fifteen English 
acres each. They are all covered with wood, even to the very 
smallest. The trees on these last are stunted in their growth, 
but the larger islands produce as fine timber as is to be found 
on the main shores of the lake. Many of these islands are 
situated so closely together that it would be easy to throw a 
pebble from one to the other, notwithstanding which circum- 
stance the passage between them is perfectly safe and commo- 
dious for bateaux, and between some of them that are even 
thus close to each other is water suflScient for a frigate. The 
water is uncommonly clear as it is in every part of the river, 
from Lake St. Francis upwards ; between that lake and the 
Utawas river downvs^ards it is discolored, as I have before 
observed, by passing over beds of marl. The shores of all 
these islands under our notice are rocky ; most of them rise 
very boldly, and some exhibit perpendicular masses of rock 
towards the water, upwards of twenty feet high. The scenery 
presented to view in sailing between these islands is beautiful 
in the highest degree. Sometimes, after passing through a nar- 
row strait, you find yourself in a basin, land-locked on every 
side, that appears to have no communication with the lake 



*^ 



■^ 



THE THOUSAND ISLANDS. 5 

except by the passage through which you entered ; you are 
looking, perhaps, for an outlet to enable you to proceed, think- 
ing at last to see some little channel which will just admit your 
bateau, when on a sudden an expanded sheet of water opens 
upon you, whose boundary is the horizon alone ; again in a few 
minutes you find yourself land-locked, and again a spacious 
passage as suddenly presents itself; at other times, when in the 
middle of one of these basins, between a cluster of islands, a 
dozen difierent channels, like so many noble rivers, meet the 
eye, perhaps equally unexpectedly, and on each side the islands 
appear regularly retiring till they sink from sight in the dis- 
tance. Every minute during the passage of this lake the pros- 
pect varies. The numerous Indian hunting encampments on 
the diflFerent islands, with the smoke of their fires rising up 
between the trees, added considerably to the beauty of the 
scenery as we passed it. The Lake of a thousand Isles is 
twenty-five miles in length, and about six in breadth." 

THEN AND NOW. 

Omit the Indian hunting encampments and the appearance 
of this "Lake of the Islands" (as the island section of the 
widened river is termed in the foregoing description,) has 
changed but little since Mr. Weld wrote his journal. Only 
Wells' island, ( much the largest of all,) and two or three 
others are under cultivation. Wells' island is about ten miles 
in length and contains 8,000 acres. Near and around it are 
thickly clustered very many of the smaller islands. With the 
exception of an occasional bare rock which rises in gray, grim 
contrast to its leafy sisters, these islands are all covered with 
various kinds of trees and bushes, deciduous and evergreen. 

ALEXANDRIA BAY. 

The village of Alexandria Bay, overlooking the river and a 
little bay, with a population of about 500, is the natural point 
of departure to the islands, a thousand of which are within 
five or six miles of the place, and hundreds in near proximity 
to it, dividing the river into a multitude of winding channels, 
small and large, and moulding it into tiny bays and coves, 
affording romantic retreats which are the delight of boating 



*®- -®* 

6 ALEXANDRIA BAY AND 

parties. Wells' island terminates about two miles below. 
Hart's island, directly opposite, and very near to the village, is 
said to be tbe spot where Thomas Moore, the Irish poet, wrote 
early in the century his famous 

CANADIAN BOAT SONG. 

Faintly, as tolls the evening chime, 
Our voices keep tune, and our oars keep time; 
Soon as the woods on shore look dim, 
We'll sing at St. Ann's our parting hymn. 
Row, brothers, row, the stream runs fast, 
The rapids are near and the daylight's past. 

• 
Why should we yet our sails unfurl ? 
There is not a breath the blue wave to curl ! 
But, when the wind blows oif the shore, 
Oh ! sweetly we'll rest on our weary oar. 
Blow, breezes, blow, the stream runs ftist. 
The rapids are near and the daylight's past! 

Utawa's tide ! this trembling moon. 
Shall see us float over thy surges soon : 
Saint of this green isle ! hear our prayers. 
Oh ! grant us cool heavens and favoring airs. 
Blow, breezes, blow, the stream runs fast. 
The rapids are near and the daylight's past! 

PAST AND FUTURE OF THE BAY. 

Because of its charming location and easy accessibility to the 
most bewitching beauties and best fishing grounds of the Thou- 
sand Isles, Alexandria Bay is to be one of the favorite resorts 
of the summer seekers after health and recreation. It would 
have been so long ago if its Jittractions had been properly 
advertised, and hotel accommodations had not been lacking — 
hindrances which will not exist hereafter. For almost half a 
century it has had from year to year a few appreciative and 
distinguished visitors who, intentiouall}^ or by accident, had 
discovered that they could here find rustic pleasures and medi- 
cinal virtues which they could find nowhere else, including the 
delicious excitement of pulling from the river more fish in a 
day than would suffice them as steady diet for a year. 

SOME OF THE OLD VISITORS. 

Twenty or more years ago, John Van Buren, Silas Wright, 
Frank Blair and Preston King, were fond of shaking hands at 

■ m 



*t 



THE THO U8AND ISLANDS. 7 

the Bay each fishing season, with the double purpose in their 
wise heads of catching fish and fixing up political slates for 
the approaching campaign. It is stated that as "Prince John" 
was hauling in an uncommonly big bass one day, he informed 
Silas and the rest that he had got the Democratic hook in the 
mouth of the Whig party, and just as sure as he laid out that 
bass in the bottom of that boat, would the Whigs be laid out 
to die at the next election. The bass was landed, and the 
Whigs were defeated. Gov. Seward, Martin Van Buren, Geo. 
B. Warren and the Rev. Geo. W. Bethune were regular visitors 
. at the Bay about 1843 and afterwards. It was through the 
instrumentality of Dr. Bethune that the "Church of a Thou- 
sand Isles," a stone structure, was built in the village, and 
opened up for worship in 1851. Gen. Dick Taylor, late of the 
rebel army, and a son of the ex-President, was also one of the 
early visitors, as were several others whose names have become 
historical. 

ISLAND SALES. 

Many years ago Messrs. Cornwall & Walton, leading mer- 
chants and shippers at the Bay, had the foresight and enter- 
prise to purchase all the American islands except Wells, from 
near Clayton, fifteen miles above, to Brockville, twenty-four 
miles below. Time has shown that they fell into the right 
hands. A few years ago George M. Pullman, of palace car 
fame, purchased one of the most beautiful of the islands, loca- 
ted near and in full view of the village. Other sales followed, 
the most of them occurring within the last two years, at prices 
almost nominal, but with the important proviso that buildings 
should be erected by the purchasers within one or two years. 
A dozen or more of these island residences have been built, 
and to these many more will be added the present season. 
Messrs. Cornwall & Walton have furnished us with the follow- 
ing list of islands sold, with names of owners, etc : 

NAMES OF ISLANDS AND OWNERS. 

ISLANDS. ACRES. OWNERS. 

„ , ,^ o \ Edward Schell, New York. 

Manhattan o -j ^^^^^^ q Spencer, New York. 

DesUer 15 Wm. G. Deshler, Columbus, O. 






8 



ALEXANDRIA BA Y AND 



Steamboat 6 

Deer 25 

Pratt & Juffts. . 3 

Broion's 10 

Pleasant 3 

Pullman'' s 1 

Friendly 3 

Cherry 10. . . . 

Knobby 3 

Pojje's 3 



i 8. B. Upliani, Watertown, N. Y. 
I Geo. B. Phelps, Watertown, N. Y. 
. .8. Miller, Rochester, N. Y. 
. . Sisson & Fox, Alexandria Bay, N. Y, 



Titusville. 



Proctor 1. 

Maple 3. 

Netts %. 

Summer Land. .10. 

Isle Imperial. . . .34- 

Maud )4:. 

Elephant Piock . .}^. 

Ei'ee and Easy . . 1 . 

Arcadia and Ina . 2 . 

Sport 1 . 

Kit Grafton 3^. 

Island Many .... 2 . 

Little Charm. . -34. 

Frost 2. 

Resort 3. 

Excelsior Group 5. 
DeviTs Oven U. 



Geo. M. Pullman, Chicago, 111. 
j A. B. Parker, New York. 
{ Abner Mellen, Jr., New York. 
, .Geo. Rockwell, Alexandria Bay,N.Y. 
j H. R. Heath, New York. 
\ C. S. Goodwin, Oneida, N. Y. 
. .8. G. Pope, Og-densbiirgh, N. Y. 
f Abraham Smith, Titusville, Pa. 

J. J. Holden, " " 

W. W. Thompson, " 

B. G. Hinckley, 
^ B. W. Hurd, 

C. W. Isham, 
J. W. Bloss, 
W. W. Bloss, 

LE. K.Green, 

Edwin R. Proctor, Cincinnati, O. 

Mrs. Charlotte Kip, Buffalo, N. Y. 

E. A. KoUmyn, Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Rev. J. M, Pullman, New York. 

Almond Gunnison, Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Richard Fisk, Grand Rapids, Mich. 

.Jas. McNaughton, Ogdensbm-g, N. Y. 
, .F. B. A. Lewis, Watertown, N. Y. 
.T. C. Chittenden, W.atertown, N. Y. 
f G. Bradford, Watertown, N. Y. 
• I. P. Powers, 

R. H. Hall, 

8. T. Bordwell, " 
.8. A. Briggs, Chicago, 111. 
, .Mauch Chunk, Pa. 
.Kit Grafton, Watertown, N. Y. 
j W. L. Palmer, Watertown, N. Y. 
i James M. Browner, St. Louis, Mo. 
.F. L. Walton, Alexandria Bay,N. Y. 
. Sarah Libbie Frost,Watertown, N. Y. 
.Pioneer Club, AYatertown, N. Y. 
. Charles S. Goodwin, Oneida, N. Y. 
.Henry R. Peath, New York. 



•S-®- 



THE THOUSAND ISLANDS. 9 

07 ^ ir „„ Q i S. T. Wool worth, Watertown, K Y. 

Sylmn and Moss. ^ ] O. G. Staples, a ' u 

Guha and Story. .5 W. E. Story, Buffalo, N. Y. 

Little Angell % Wm. A. Ang-ell, Chicago, III. 

Warner's % Hiilburt H Warner, Rochester, N. Y. 

Island Home 1 S. D. Hiingerford, Adams, N. Y, 

Sunny Side 1 Mrs. Emily Moak, Watertown, N. Y. 

Wild Rose 1 Mrs. W. W. Herrick, Watertown, N. Y- 

3^ Mrs. F. Hammerkin, Syracuse, N.Y. 

Harmony }£ Mrs. Cecelia Berger, Syracuse, N. Y. 

Wynnstay 1 Mrs. Sarah S. Wynn, Watertown. 

Toney 1 Anthony T. E. Mullen, Watertown. 

Alice Isle 2 John George Hill, Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Qn.^h«r„yy. H^r.-,.^ 1 S Charlcs E. AlHug, Rochester, N. Y. 

SunUam Group. \ ] Florence Sheffer; 

Walton . . . . 2 "Watertown Club," Watertown, KY. 

2 IsVdsinEelBay 2 E. L. Sargent, Watertown. N. Y. 

Long Branch. . .10 Mrs. Chas. E. Clark,Watertown, N.Y. 

Nigger 3 Edward Bobbins, Mullet Creek, N.Y. 

Ella }i R. E. Hungerford, Watertown, N. Y. 

Lookout 2 Thomas H. Borden, New York. 

3 D. C. Grinnell, Brooklyn, K Y. 

Picnic 2 Douglass Miller, Kew Haven, Conn, 

Hart's 5 E. K. Hart, Albion, N. Y. 

POINTS SOLD. 

Besides the islands of the list, the following capes or points 
have been sold for summer residences ; One half a mile be- 
low the village, to Mr. Anthony, of New York ; one, one and 
a half miles below, to Richard Hungerford, of Watertown ; 
one to Huntington and Grenuell, of Adams, and one to George 
W. Bond and others, of Adams, both opposite the village ; two 
points half a mile above, to parties in Cleveland, Ohio ; one 
point, with twenty-five acres of land, two miles above, to D. 
C. Grinnell, of Brooklyn ; one, one mile above, to H. R. Pom- 
eroy, of Auburn. 

UNSOLD. 

Messrs. Cornwall & Walton have a few more desirable islands 
and points near the Bay for sale, nearly all of which will 
probably be picked up by eager purchasers before the com- 
mencement of 1875. 



-SH 






10 ALEXANDRIA BA T AND 

COTTAGES. 

Cottages have been built or the following islands : Manhat- 
tan, Deshler, Pullman, Cheriy, Pope, Hart, Summer Land, 
Maud, Arcadia, Sport, and Island Many, Pullman and Sum- 
mer Land have each two houses. Probably the finest of these 
island residences is the one built last season by Hon. E. K. 
Hart, of Albion. It is a Swiss cottage, 60 by 70 feet, with a 
tower rising 85 feet above the level of the river, and cost about 
$12,000. Of Mr. Pullman's structure we shall have something 
to say hereafter. Manhattan island was formerly owned by 
Seth Green, the celebrated fish breeder, of Rochester. Mr. 
Green sold it to the Americus Club of New York, which lost 
its vitality as an organization with the downfall of the Tam- 
many ring, and the island passed into the hands of the two 
present owners, Schell and Spencer. Their building was erec- 
ted by Mr. Green, but they have enlarged and improved it, and 
christened it the " Iroquois Lodge." Messrs. Heath and Good- 
win are to put up a much larger and finer building on their 
beautiful Knobby island. The Pioneer Club, the proprietors 
of Free and Easy, and several others have already commenced 
preparations to build, and before the close of the season of 1874, 
there will be over 50 of these island residences, where fami- 
lies and clubs and friendly parties will enjoy scenery, society, 
lodging and good living in connection with the boating and 
sporting delights of the bountiful and wonderful river. Others 
will find agreeable accommodations in the hotels of the village 
and especially in the new Thousand Island House, sharing 
meanwhile the fishing, floating, feasting, feteing and fun of 
the joyful islanders. It should be stated in this connection 
that Mr. Grinnell, of Brooklyn, intends to construct a dozen or 
more cottages and a race course on his 25 acres, mentioned in 
the list of purchases. 

MR. PULLMAN AND HIS ISLAND. 

Here it is proper to speak more in detail of Mr. George M. 
Pallman and his Pullman island, as he has been the real leader 
in these island purchases and improvements, and has done 
more than almost all others to bring to the knowledge of the 
public the abounding attractions of the locality. Mr. Pullman 



*t 



■^H 



THE THOUSAND ISLANDS. 11 

bought his island, (wliich is thickly wooded and one of the 
most beautiful of all,) of Messrs. Cornwall & Walton in 1864. 
Having prepared the way by the construction of a building^ 
dock and small steam yacht, he commenced entertaining him- 
self, famii}^ and invited guests in princely style in the summer 
of 1871. This was one cause of the rapid increase of visitors 
at the Bay that year, who came in such numbers as to astonish 
the villagers and overflow the two small hotels. But not until 
1873 did the village see clearly its manifest destiny as a popu- 
lar resort 

THE RUSH OF 1872 

Then it suddenly found itself inundated by such a rush of 
eager pleasure-seekers as it had never dared to anticipate. The 
hotels was packed, and every available sleeping-room of the 
place were occupied. Verj^ uncomfortable lodgings were cheer- 
fully occupied for the purpose of being near those charming 
islands. Men, women and children slept in the private houses 
and walked thence to the hotels for their meals. There was no 
room for more. So some went over to the unoccupied islands 
and lived in tents ; others came, paused and went sadly awa}'- ; 
while hundreds telegraphed, and received answer to keep 
away. There were two prominent contributing causes for this 
unexpected increase of visitors. 

AN EDITORIAL EXCURSION. 

One of these causes was a steamboat excursion in June, of 
the New York Editorial Association, accompanied by about 
fifty Southern editors, among the Thousand Islands, and term- 
inating in a splendid lunch which was given them under the 
inviting trees of Pullman island. Here they feasted and made 
speeches ; tasted a little of the pleasures of riding in the fish- 
ing boats and pulling in a few bass and pickerel ; talked in 
superlatives about the air, the water and the scenery ; then 
went home and told their subscribers all about it. 

PRESIDENT grant's VISIT. 

But the climax of events of '72 for the people of the Bay, 
was the coming of President Grant and party in August as the 
guests of Mr. Pullman. The following are the names of those 



■€H 



± 



12 ALEXANDRIA BA Y AND 

who made Pullman island their home and enjoyed the splendid 
hospitalit}^ of its munificent proprietor during the stay of the 
President : 



George M. Pullman and family, 
Presideiit U. S. Grant, 
Mrs. U. S. Grant, 
Lieut. Fred Grant, 
Jessie Grant, 

Lieut. Gen. Phil Sheridan, U. S. A. 
Gen. Starring, U. S. A., 
■ Misses Nellie and Jennie Stewart, 
C. W. Angell, 



Miss Dunlevy, 

Miss Foster, 

John Clark, 

Mrs. Sawyer, 

Mr. and Mrs. McGinnis, 

Mr. Stewart Clark, 

Fred Sawyer, 

Miss Whiton, 

W. A. Angell. 



PULLMAN ENTERTAINMENTS. 

The President and party remained eight days, Gen. Sheridan 
two weeks, and Mr. Pullman and family about four weeks. In 
addition to the convenient and comfortable old building near 
the water, Mr. Pullman had caused to be erected on, the highest 
point of the island early in the season, an unique structure simi- 
lar in style to a Hudson river steamboat, with sleeping-rooms 
opening into central saloons. Without are verandahs over, 
looking the river channels, and above a tower of observation. 
This building was the lodging and lounging place for the guests, 
and the old building became dining-room, store-room and 
kitchen, where the delicacies of the season were prepared by 
skillful cooks. Furniture and utensils had been brought to 
Cape Vincent in one of the Pullman Palace cars, and thence 
by boat to the island. At night four locomotive headlights 
shone landward from different points near the water, illumina- 
ting the whole island. The little Pullman yacht steamed to 
and fro, as required, and a small cannon pealed welcomes to 
passing boats. There were two grand evening masquerades 
under the trets by the water during the Presidential stay, 
which were attended by thousands from the islands, village and 
surrounding country. These entertainments were invested 
with a kind of oriental splendor by brightly-lighted gondolas 
on the liver, and hundreds of many-colored Chinese lanterns 
suspended from the trees and over the out-door dancing floor. 
On other^ evenings out-door charades and dances alternated. 
During the day the fishing boats and steam yachts were kept 
in motion. Eacli Sunday religious services were held on the 
island for all who chose to attend, the Rev. James Pullman 

4 ^ 



^ 






THE THOUSAND ISLANDS. . 13 

and others officiating. At length the men of power and titles, 
with their ladies, went away ; and at length Mr. Pullman strip- 
ped his island houses of their furniture, sent it to his car, and 
went away also, but to come again the next season and revive 
the superb entertaining which had afforded so much pleasure 
to so many. 

THE PRESIDENT WANTS AN ISLAND. 

President Grant found his stay among the islands so agreea- 
ble, that he selected Friendly island, owned by Messrs. Parker 
and Mellen, as one which he desired to purchase. The bargain 
was not consummated, but it is said he will become the posses- 
sor of some one of the islands this season, and have i; cottage 
erected thereon. 

THE FISHING. 

There are no better trolling grounds for black bass, pickerel 
and muscalouge than those among the island groups about 
Alexandria Bay. Even on very windy days ihe boats go out 
and find good fishing on the lee side of the islands. The bass 
fibbing is best from the 15th of July to September. The musca- 
longe period is between May 15th and July, although this most 
delicious of all fresh water fish is often caught later. Pickerel 
are caught all the season, that is, from early summer until the 
middle of autumn. Some of the muscalonge weigh 40 and 50 
pounds, pickerel sometimes 15 and 20 pounds, bass 5 or 6 
pounds. The pickerel and muscalonge are caught with spoon 
hooks; black bass usually with what are called fly-hooks, the 
fly being made of the feathers of a water fowl. Often fifteen 
or twentj^ of theso fly-liooks are attached to a single line, and 
five or six bass are sometimes pulled in at once. Every desir- 
able kind of hook can be procured of Mr. Thompson, at the 
Bay, who manufactures them in large quantities. 

BOATS AND BOATMEN. 

Of fishing boats and experienced boatmen there is a good 
supply at the Bay, and the number will be largely increased. 
This season there will be about 300 boats at the disposal of 
visitors, many of which can be hired with or without boatmen. 
A boat and boatman may be obtained for $2 or $3 a day. It is 



f- 






14 ♦ ALEXANDRIA BAY AND 

better for strangers to have the boatman, no matter liow expe- 
rienced oarsmen they may be; for he knows all the insane! 
outs of the channels and islands, and the best trolling places, 
weather, time and kind of fish desired all being considered. 
He also furnishes a supply of fishing tackle, and cooks the fish 
in most appetizing style when the dinner hour arrives. 

Tiiree in a boat is the correct number, as more renders the 
trolling inconvenienl. Ladies become enthusiastic lovers of 
the exciting sport after one or two trials, and often prove the 
most successful fishers Their desire to hook one of the 
monster muscalonge is always ardent, and when they succeed 
in this they become the heroines of the day. Some of the 
largest muscalonge caught last season were by ladies. 

THF KIV.^:il APPETITE. 

The exercise of fishing and the river air create quickly a 
craving appetite, which causes the out-door feasts to be im- 
mensely enjoyed, and astonishing quantities of food to disap- 
pear. Fastidious ladies, dainty epicures and invalids are sur- 
prised to find themselves wanting five or six subtantial meals 
a day when making their lengthy excursions along the islands 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

The island called Devil's Oven is named from a curious cave 
into which a boat may be rowed fi'om the river. From the 
summit of Bluff island, two miles below the Bay, 80 other 
neighboring islands can be separated by the eye and counted. 
Fiddler's Elbow, on the Canada side of Wells' island, is the 
locality of a large and very beautiful cluster of small islands, 
and a favorite fishing resort. The "Lake of the Island"' is a 
picturesque sheet of water in Wells' island, with an inlet from 
the Canadian channel and an outlet at the extreme end of the 
island. It abounds in fish, game and scenic beauties. This 
lake. Goose Bay three miles below the village, Eel's Bay at the 
head of Wells' island, and Halstead's Bay on the Canada side, 
are all fine fishing grounds, and in the spring and autumn are 
frequented by large flocks of wild geese and duck for the 
hunters. A few miles south and southeast of the village aie 
several beautiful lakes, also abounding in fish and game, which 
may be visited on the way to or from the Bay by those who 
[ take the Theresa route. 



4- 






THE THOUSAND ISLANDS. 15 

A SCRAP OF HISTORY. 

Among other spots of interest M^liich the boatmen of the 
islands will point out is one at Wells' island, where the British 
steamer Sir Robert Peel was burned during the Patriot war, on 
the night of May 29, 1888. She was a new boat, 160 feet long 
and 30 feet beam, and was on her way from Prescott to Toronto 
with 19 passengers. She stopped at Wells' island at midnight 
for the purpose of taking on wood, when a company of 23 
armed men disguised and painted like savages, rushed on 
board, drove the crew and passengers to the shore, some of 
them in their night clothes, cast off the steamer into the chan- 
nel, and finally fired her in several places and left her to her 
fate. It is said to have been the intention at first of those who 
took part in this proceeding to save the boat, with her aid cap- 
ture the steamer Great Britain, and cruise with the two steam- 
ers on Lake Ontario to transport troops and supplies for the 
Patriot service. The leader of the 22 men was a famous char- 
acter named Bill Johnson, who had been employed as a spy 
against Great Britain during the war of 1812. For a long time 
he concealed himself among the islands, where he was unsuc- 
cessfully hunted by the indignant Canadians, eluding all their 
efforts and well-contrived plots for his capture. In the mean- 
time his daughter, a young woman of extraordinary courage 
and endurance, conveyed for him provisions and comforts by 
night in a small boat to his hiding places. 

THE THOUSAND ISLAND HOUSE. 

Last year the lack of good and sufficient hotel accommoda- 
tions at Alexandria Bay and the promising future of the place 
as a summer resort, attrat^ted the attention of two enterprising- 
gentlemen of Watertown, Messrs. O. G. Staples and C. A. Nott, 
who, after proper consideration, resolved to prepare for the 
coming and future seasons of visitors on a magnificent scale. 
To aid them in their important undertaking, Messrs. Cornwall 
and Walton generously presented them with an admirable site 
for a hotel, to which additions were made by purchase, and the 
projector.-! went to work. The building rose with magical 
rapidity, and it soon became apparent that their promise to 
have it completed and furnished, ready for guests by the com- 



■3H 



16 ALEXANDRIA BA Y AND 

mencement of the next fishing season, would be fulfilled. 
This "Thousand Island House," as it is called, which will 
hereafter give luxurious accommodations to those who go to 
the islands, commands the finest views of the river in both 
directions, and most of the favorite islands and island groups 
may be seen from its lofty tower. It was named by Gen. S. D. 
Hungerford, banker at Adams, who has also presented the pro- 
prietors with a beautiful set of colors for the building. 

DIMENSIONS. 

The main building is 274 feet long and 50 feet wide ; the 
eastern portion is five stories high and the western four stories, 
this difference being occasioned by the uneven lay of the rock 
on which it is erected. From the center of the main part a 
wing of the same heighth, 40 feet wide, extends back 100 feet. 
A tower 24 by 27 feet rises 140 feet above the foundation. 
Under the east end is a natural cellar in the solid rock, 150 
feet long. 

EXTERIOR FEATURES. 

The hotel is built on the rock, which slopes from its front to 
the river and steamboat landing, only three rods distant. Oppo- 
site the main entrance and tow^er a fountain is to be in constant 
play. A verandah 13 feet wide shadows the first and second 
stories along the front and ends, the f'ntire length being 374 
feet. The ofiBce and connecting rooms of the east end also 
have a verandah, as shown in the engraving. Balconies orna- 
ment the tower, affording the guests opportunities to extend 
their views at pleasure along and across the river. This tower, 
and a Mansard roof with arched windows, give to the upper 
part a must elegant appearance, and harmonize pleasingly with 
the rest of the structure. The name of the hotel is prominently 
presented in letters of colored slate betw^een the arched win- 
dows of the roof. 

FIRST FLOOR. 

On this floor, constituting the east end story before men- 
tioned, are the office, reception and reading rooms, bar-room, 
billiard room with six tables, telegraph office, barber shop and 
wash-room, the whole being 100 by 50 feet. The office is 
furnished with one of Diebold & Kienzle's Canton, Ohio, 



THE THOUSAND ISLANDS. 17 

largest aud best safes, coutaiuing boxes for the use of the 
guests. Ou the door is scroll-work showing a handsome pic- 
ture of the hotel. 

SECOND FLOOR. 

Here are the grand hall from the entrance, two reception 
rooms, the largest being 40 by 50 feet, a private dining-room, 
parlors, bedrooms and bath-rooms, a hall 10 feet wide extend- 
ing from end to end and opening on the verandah, and in the 
wing the public dining-room 100 by 40 feet and 20 feet high- 
This dining-room has an arched ceihng and no pillars, a ven- 
tilator, and a gallerj' for music over the front end. It is fur- 
nished with 36 tables, and connected with it is a kitchen sup- 
plied with the most approved modern appliances for cooking, 
including one of Brumhall, Dean & Co.'s celebrated French 
ranges. 

THE OTHER FLOORS. 

Each of the other floors is partitioned into parlors and 
comfortable rooms for guests, with halls, bath-rooms and 
water-closets. 

WATER. 

The building is furnished throughout with water-pipes, which 
are supplied from a tank in the tower,where the water is forced 
from the river by steam machinery. 



It is brilliantly lighted with gas manufactured by the Maxium 
patent gas machine, which supplies illuminating gas of the 
purest quality. 

A GRAND PROMENADE. 

The verandah connecting with the long hall of the first floor, 
gives a promenade 624 feet in length, the verandah portion 
being 374 feet and the hall 250 feet. 

CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL. 

The following statements will give a clearer idea of the great 
size of the Thousand Island House : The amount of coarse 
lumber entering into its construction is 450,000 feet, and of pine 
lumber 450,000 feet. It also swallows up 700,000 lath, and 



^ ' $* 

IS ALEXANDRIA BA Y AND 

about four tons of iron supporting rods. There is a hint of 
the cost of furnishing in the fact that for all the floors about 
three acres of carpeting are required. 

BELLS. 

Wire to the extent of seven miles is used in hanging the 
bells, connected with a patent electric annunciator in the office. 

THE ACCOMMODATIONS. 

The hotel will accommodate about 600 guests. Those who 
stop here will find the rest, comfort and attention which they 
seek in going from city to country, and every facility will be 
aff*orded them for seeing and enjoying the rare scenery and 
varied amusements of the river and islands. No employes will 
be retained in the establishment who prove to be incompetent, 
negligent or discourteous.* Families and parties can be accom- 
modated with desirable suites of rooms at reasonable prices, 
with private dining-rooms if desired. Invalids can have fires 
in their rooms, when M^anted, and whatever else the hotel can 
provide in the way of special comforts and attention. All 
guests will not only be well cared for, but liberally dealt with. 

REFITTED AND FURNISHED. 

The Thousand Island House has been refitted and furnished 
for the season of 1874, and will open June 1st. Among the 
attractions added is a first-class bowling alley, a large and com- 
modious barn, baths, and croquet grounds, while two hundred 
and fifty hair mattresses have been added to the beds. The 
grounds have been graded and put in complete order, and a 
beautiful fountain is sending forth its cooling spray in front of 
the main entrance. Mr. Henry Pulley, of the Metropolitan 
hotel. New York, has charge of the dining-room, with a corps 
of 36 waiters from Charleston, S. C, who will be found both 
eflicient and obliging. 

THE PROPRIETORS. 

The proprietors of the Thousand Island House bring with 
them peculiar fitness' for its good management : one by long 
and successful experience as a landlord in first-class hotels, and 
the other by large and varied business dealings, which have 



*t 



-T 



■@^ 



THE THOUSAND ISLANDS. 19 

given him an extensive and intimate acquaintance with men 
and things. The public ma}-- expect much of them, and will 
not be disappointed. All conununications in reference to 
rooms, ttrms, etc., 

Address, STAPLES & NOTT, 

Alexandria Bay, N. Y. 

OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS. 

The means for entertaining visitors have been still further 
increased by the proprietors of the Grossman and St. Lawrence 
hotels, who have added new buildings to their old ones since 
the close of last season. 

HOW TO GET TO ALEXANDRIA BAY. 

It remains for us to point out the routes and conveyances by 
which Alexandria Bay may be reached. It is located on the 
south bank of the river, 30 miles from Cape Vincent and 36 
miles from Ogdcnsburg, both northern termini of the Rome, 
Watertown and Ogdensburgh Railroad ; one of the best built, 
equipped and managed roads in the whole country, with smooth 
road-bed, sumptuous cars and careful employes. Few railroads 
have been so free from accidents, and no other railroad com- 
pany is more careful of the comfort and safety of its pas- 
sengers. Nor has the road ever been better managed than it is 
now, with Marcellus Massey as President, and J. W. Moak as 
Superintendent. The steamer J. H. Kelley, Capt. George 
Sweet, connects twice a day with tiie trains of the R. W. and 
O. R.R. (furnished with Pullman palace cars) at Cape Vincent, 
making two daily trips each way between there and the Bay. 
This is the best route for all who seek the islands via the New 
York Central R. R. Persons ma}^ take the sleeping car or the 
6 p. m, train in New York and breakfast in Watertown, and 
one hour's ride by rail to Cape Vincent and a delightful ride of 
three hours on the St. Lawrence, brings them to the Bay in 
time for an early dinner. The Oswego division of the R. W. 
and O. R. R. connects with the main line at Richland, and the 
Syracuse Northern connects it with Sj'racuse at Sandy Creek 
Junction. 

' At Ogdeusburg, also the terminus of the Northern Railroad, 
w^hich' connects with the Vermont Central, the Northern Trans- 



f- 



>^-™^_.-- — _- — __ — _. 

20 ALEXANDRIA BA Y AND 

portal ion Co. & Y. C. line of steamers start twice a day (6 p. 
m. and 10 p. m.,) up the river, stopping at the Bay. 

One of the Canadian Mail line of steamers leaves Toronto 
at 10 o'clock every morning except Sunday, for Montreal, stop- 
ping at Kingston, CI ay ton, Alexandria Bay, Brockville, Ogdens- 
burg, and ports beyond. These boats leave the Bay at 8 a. m. 
and arrive in Montreal at 6 p. m. 

The Utica and Black River Railroad has been extended to 
Theresa, 12 miles from the Bay, and stages connecting with the 
trains run between the two places. Passengers on their way to 
the islands can stop at Tlieresa and enjoy the beauties and 
sporting pleasures of Indian river and neighboring lakes. 
Here they can find excellent hotel accommodation at the Get- 
man House. Parties wishing drafts or checks cashed, will tind 
Geo. Yost a most genial and obliging banker, at Theresa. N. Y- 

Canadian comers can choose between the river boats and tlie 
Grand Trunk Railroad, which huss the Canadian shore. 



NORTHERN TRANSPORTATION CO. S STEAMERS. 

NAME. COMMANDERS. 

Brooklyn Harvey Brown 

Empire Ed. White 

City New York L. H. Waterbury 

Maine J. H. McCormick 

Nashua. John Landfair 

Lawrence Abner Reed 

Cleveland James Connors 

City Concord Charles Ely 

Lowell H. Bailey 

Granite State Wm. Garden 

St. Albans J. J. Knapp 

City Toledo D. H. Davis 

Milwaukee Wm. Leonard 

Champlain A. C. Chapman 

Garden City Alva Shaver 

Oswegatchie . . Ira Bishop 

Buckeye Chas. Christy 



*t 



THE THOUSAND ISLANDS. 21 

THE THOUSAND ISLANDS. 

BY HON. CALED LVON. 

The Thousai;d Isles, the Thousand Isles, 
Dimpled the wave around them smiles, 
Kissed by a thousand red-lipped flowers, 
Gemmed by a thousand emerald bowers, 
A thousand birds their praises wake, 
By rocky glade and plumy brake, 
A thousand cedars' fragrant shade 
Falls where the Indians' children played ; 
And fancy's dream my heart beguiles 
While singing thee, the Thousand Isles. 

No Vestal Virgin guards their groves. 
No Cupid breathes of Cj'prian loves, 
No Satyr's form at eve is seen, 
No Dryad peeps the trees between. 
No Venns rises from their shore. 
No loved Adonis, red with gore. 
No pale Endymion wooed to sleep, 
No brave Leander breasts their deep, 
No Ganymede, no Pleiades — 
Theirs are a New World's memories. 

The flag of France first o'er them hung, 

The mass was said, the vespers sung. 

The freres of Jesus hailed the strands. 

As blessed A'irgin Mary's lands. 

And red men mutely heard, surprised, 

Their heathen names all christianized. 

Next floated a banner with cross and crown, 

'Twas Freedom's eagle plucked it down, 

Retaining its pure and crimson dyes 

With the stars of their own, their native skies. 

There St. Lawrence gentlest flows. 
There the south wind softest blows, 
There the lilies whitest bloom, 
There the birch hath leafiest gloom. 
There the red deer feed in spring. 
There doth glitter wood-duck's wing, 



f* 



^ 



22 ' ALEXANBEIA BA Y AND 

There leap the muscalonge at morn, 
There the loon's night song is borne, 
There is the fisherman's paradise, 
■^Yith trolling skifl" at red sunrise. 

The Thousand Isles, the Thousand Isles, 
Their charm frum every care beguiles ; 
Titian alone hath grace to paint 
The triumph of their patron saint. 
Whose waves return on memory's tide, 
LaSalle and Piquet side by side. 
Proud Frontenac and bold Champlain 
There act their wanderings o'er again; 
And while their golden sunlight smiles. 
Pilgrims shall greet thee. Thousands Isles ! 



BUILDERS OF THE THOUSAND ISLAND HOUSE. 

Owners and Managers — O. G. Staples and C. A. Nott, Water- 
town, N. Y. 

Architect — Fred W. Brown, Albany, N. Y. 

ifa6'6>7i— Charles Englehart, Watertown, N. Y. 

Carpenters— ^o^\\ Dillenbeck, Antw^erp, N. Y.; Wm. Port, 
Watertown, N. Y. 

Tinners — Woolsey & Benedict, Syracuse, N. Y. 

Qas Fitter and Plumber — Alfred Tily, Syracuse, N. Y. 

Slate Roofing— W. G. Hitchcock & Son, Syracuse, N.Y. 

Stairs — S. B. VanDuzee & Co., Gouverneur, N. Y. 

Ornamental Iron Works— ^^ . D. AVilson, Watertown, N, Y. 

Carpets— K. T. Stewart & Co., New York. 

Furniture— S. C. Hayden & Co., Rochester, N. Y. 

Oas Fixtures— Tucker Manufacturing Co., New York. 

Crockery — Hopson & Shepard, Utica, N. Y. 

Silver TF«?'e— West Meridian Silver Co., Thos. Chalmers and 
Son, New York. 
—^ 



■@" 



THE THOUSAND ISLANDS. 

Excursion Season of 1 8 7^. 



EoDie, Itertowii k OilisMi 1 1 

The BEST, itUICKEST and 0\LY 
DIRECT ROUTE TO 

CLAYTON AND ALEXANDRIA BAY 

AND THE 

SPEEIVDID FISHI1\0 OROUXBS 

AMONG THE 

THOUSAND ISLANDS 

OF THE 

RIVER ST. LAWRENCE. 



This is the only all Rail Route to the St. Lawrence River 
by which Tourists and Excursionists can iiave a view of all of 
the TlK)usancl Islands from the fool of Lake Ontario, and 
avoid the tedious and uncomfortable lake trip Irom Lewi^ton, 
Toronto and Oswego. Also the very unpleasant transfer of 
two miles from the Grand Trunk Railwaj'' Station at Kingston 
to the Steamboat Landing- at a very unseasonable hour in the 
morning. 

The Steamer J. H. Kelly has been thoroughly overhauled, 
and refitted, and partly refurnished, which during the Sum- 
mer Season, will make two trips dail}^ (Sunday's excepted) 
between Alexandria Bay, Olaylon and Cape Vincent, connect 
ing with Express Trains of this Road to and from Cape Vin- 
cent. Arrangements have been made, commencing July 1st, 
to run Palace Drawing-Room Cars between Albany and Cape 
Vincent via Rome. Also between Niagara Falls and Cape 
Vincent via Syracuse Northern Railroad, without change. 
Tourists and Pleasure Seekers can leave New York nt G:00 
p. M., in through Sleeping Car (breakfast at Watertown) 

f- ^ ^ 



"f" 



4 



ALEXANDRIA BA Y AND 24 

and arrive at Clayton about 10:30 a. m., and Alexandria Ba}^ 
for an early dinner. Also, leave Albany by Day Express 
about 9:00 A. M., in through Drawing-Room Car, and Niagara 
Falls by Special Day Express at 7:30 a. m., via K Y. C. & H. 
R. R R., in through Drawing-Room Car, arriving at Cape 
Vincent from Albany, Saratoga, Niagara Falls and intermediate 
points, about 5:00 p. m., Clayton 7:00 p. m., Alexandria Bay 8:00 
p. M , and those who desire can resume their trip the following 
morning, on one of the Royal Mail Line of Steamers through 
to Montreal, w^hich leaves Clayton about 7:00 a. m., and Alex- 
andria Bay 8:00 a. m. 

This Compan}^ offers to pleasure travel,via the St. Lawrence 
River, advantages and comforts superior to any other route, 
and by which persons can have a view of all of the Thousand 
Islands, and enjoy a delightful sail on Steamer Kelly from Cape 
Vincent to Clayton and Alexandria Bay. This Road is equip- 
ped with new and elegant Day Coaches and Drawing-Room 
Cars, with the most improved and best car couplings and pat. 
eut platforms, which combined with its Perfect Track enables 
the Company to run all their trains at a high rate of speed 
with perfect safety, which fact, with the shortness of the Line 
guarantees the arrival of passengers at their destination much 
sooner than can be attained over any other Railway. 

£xciirf!iioii Tickets to Clayton and Alexandria Bay and 
return. Also, Tickets to Montreal Quebec and White Moun- 
tains, and Round Trip Tickets via Montreal, Lake Cham- 
plain Lake George and Saratoga, &c., &c., can be obtained 
at all the principal offices and hotels in New York. Also at 
Philadelphia, Pa., Albany, Troy, Saratoga, Richfield Springs^ 
Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and all the 
Principal Stations of the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R.. The Syra. 
cuse Northern R. R. from Syracuse, makes direct connections 
with the Express Trains of this Company at Sandy Creek 
Junction. Pleasure Seekers and Fishing Parties will save 
time and money by securing tickets by this short and only 
direct route to the St. Lawrence River and Thousand Islands 
via Cape Vincent. 

H. T. FRARY, J. W. MOAK, 

GenH Ticket Agt. Gen'l Supt. 



-^ 



-4. 



THE THOUSAND ISLANDS. 25 

SUMMER OF 1874. 



Syracuse Northern Railroad 

THE ONLY 

DIRECT ROUTE FROM THE WEST 

To Aloxaiiftria Bay, Clayton, Tlie Tlioiisanfi Isiaiifls, 

AND MONTREAL. 



Pleasure parlies and tourists, who wish to avoid the disagree 
able trip ou Lake Ontario, and to enjoy the beauties of the St. 
Lawrence River, should take this route — making the whole 
length of the river to ;Mt)ntreal by daylight. Passengers can 
take the early mornh^g train from Niagara Falls or Buffalo, to 
Syracuse, (dining there,) and make close connections with 
the S. N. and R. W. & O. R. R.'s to Cape Vincent, there con- 
necting with steamer for Alexandria Bay — giving tourists an 
opportunity to pass the night on shore, and resume their trip 
to Montreal at their leisure, via Royal Mail Line of Steamers, 
which leave Alexandria Bay daily at 8 a. m. 

Drawing Room Cars are run daily via this route, between 
Niagara Falls and Cape Vincent. 

Tickets via this favorite line on sale at all principal offices, 
in the west and south\\-est, and on the line of the N. Y. C. and 
H. R. R. west of Syracuse. 

Be sure and purchase tickets via this route, and save time 
and money. 

Excursion Tickets to Alexandria Bay and return, on sale at 
reduced rates. 

C. B. MORSE, Sup't, Syracuse, N.Y. 
R. D. W. MANN, Gen'l Pass. Ag't, Syracuse, N. Y. 



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